CHAPTER 4

The sun shone in the sky, and Elham was excited. The wedding day had already arrived.

“Are you looking forward to tonight?” Some of the men laughed at him, and he laughed along. He pretended to understand what they were talking about, but just walked past and continued to the water. Butterflies fluttered in his stomach. How could he know anything about women? He thought it best to ask his father, and he settled by the tree where they used to talk undisturbed. This was the place he used when Ewa had gone to bed; here, the connection with his father was strongest. But today, there was no connection.

“Father, where are you?” he asked desperately.

“It’s not your father who will impart this knowledge to you.”

An indistinct figure revealed itself. It was as if he had stood right beside Elham. It wasn’t his father, but a much taller stranger. Who is this? Elham wondered, surprised. It was the first time a stranger had made contact in this way. He greeted him and waited for the mysterious presence.

“I am Sitam,” he said. “I have been sent to teach you the secrets of life.”

“Can’t my father teach me that?” Elham asked.

“He can teach you what you need to know about life here in the camp, as a husband and later as a father, but what you are about to learn, he did not have the chance to learn himself.”

Elham hesitated about whether he really needed this. His father was known to be a wise man; if he didn’t see a need, was the knowledge necessary? But he didn’t say it out loud because the figure had a presence that was hard to resist.

“This training is not given to everyone,” Sitam explained. “This is wisdom that only a few can receive.”

Elham wondered what this could be about.

“You must go on a long journey to understand,” Sitam said.

“I am getting married today and have responsibilities for the entire camp. How can I go on a long journey?” Elham asked, shaking his head in frustration that this man would suggest such a thing.

“You can relax. You will be back well before the wedding night,” Sitam said. “Come here after the ceremony when the celebration is over,” the stranger continued. “Time stands still when you travel with me.”

How could he leave on his wedding day without anyone noticing, Elham wondered. Doubt started creeping in, and the butterflies swirled in his stomach. Yet, he felt both his mother and father standing behind him.

“What should I do?” he whispered, desperate, feeling the wind caress his cheek as if whispering that everything would be fine. Apparently, his parents approved, so he took a deep breath and went back to prepare for the wedding.

Both the groom and the bride were washed and dressed with new clothes and jewellery before the wedding. They were adorned with kohl around their eyes. The wedding tent and ceremony area were decorated with flowers.

Eagerly, he wondered what she would look like. Today, Elham hadn’t seen Leyah. He was excited. The day marked a significant shift in life, that much he had understood. Men had spoken about life before and after the wedding. “It’s only then that a man becomes a man,” they had said, but Elham didn’t understand what they were talking about.

“I will receive training,” he said to himself and took a deep breath to convince himself that everything was fine.

The ceremony was to be held by the hearth. A hide canopy was stretched to shield them from the sun. Now he stood under the canopy, waiting. Wasn’t she coming soon? People chatted around him, but he didn’t hear a word. The women ran in and out of her tent. What were they up to? It was hard to stand still. At last, something happened. The flap of her tent was pulled back, and a woman took Leyah’s hand, guiding her gently out before all the women slowly led her towards him.

He stood tall, appreciating her beauty. She was so lovely, with the long braids hanging down to her waist, and her skin glowing against the red hue of the dress. His heart beat a bit faster, and he tried to catch her gaze. It wasn’t easy. Every time he approached, she lowered her eyelids. He barely noticed the music played by the new tribe members. All he noticed was her.

It was one of the older men who conducted the ceremony, but Elham could barely hear what was being said. The atmosphere was intense. Everyone chanted and danced back and forth in a circle while he held Leyah’s hands. They flowed together in a wave of music, moving around and around like a whirlpool. They were declared husband and wife, and everyone continued to sing and dance.

After the ceremony, a festive meal was served. The women had put extra effort into the food. The meat was prepared following a specific ritual, seasoned with the intention of a fertile future for the newlyweds. The meat was so tender that it melted in the mouth.

They feasted, danced, and sang well into the night. Then, the music faded, and the older women came to escort Leyah to the bridal tent. The eldest met Elham’s gaze and nodded, signalling that it was time for the newlyweds to retire.

The bridal tent was set apart from the others and was situated near the water. The moment had come. The other men cheered encouragingly as Elham walked away. Instead of heading to the bridal tent, he went to the tree by the water. He leant against the trunk, taking deep breaths. He felt his body calm down after the wedding celebration.

It didn’t take long before Sitam appeared. Elham breathed a sigh of relief. Now, he wouldn’t have to go to Leyah without knowing what would happen. It seemed like all the men knew, except for him. He looked forward to being taught by Sitam.

“It’s not I who is the teacher,” Sitam said. “Here, a woman is needed. A female master, in her domain. Are you ready for a longer journey?”

Elham didn’t have time to respond before they whirled away. They spun around and around like a tornado, and suddenly, he found himself in a garden in full daylight. It was warm, but a cool breeze came from the sea, which he could glimpse some distance away. Everything was green. His eyes absorbed all the novelty. Green grass on an open lawn, green trees trimmed into neat shapes, and flowers in every conceivable colour. In the centre of the lawn was a fountain, its water trickling gently. This garden was created by people with a sense of beauty. In the middle of the garden stood a majestic white building with columns. Amazed, he discovered that Sitam stood beside him, now in a real flesh-and-blood body. With wide eyes, he looked down at his own body and realised that he was dressed in white, lightweight linen garments. 

“We’re going up there,” said Sitam. “There, you will meet your mentor.” 

They moved towards the house. A beautiful woman in white emerged from the building. Her long brown hair was styled atop her head, with cascading curls flowing down her back. She appeared to be a few years older than he was. Slim and tall, she walked towards them with a smile.

“Welcome,” she said, hugging Sitam, as if they were old acquaintances. “Is this the handsome young man you bring with you?” she continued, extending her hand. “Take a seat,” she said, indicating a table with chairs on the terrace in front of the house. A pitcher of wine awaited on the table. “It’s probably good to cool down after the journey,” she remarked, pouring the red liquid into their glasses.

The wine tasted good, and Elham looked out over the landscape. The green grass undulated over the hills, and he could see the sea in the distance. How peaceful it is here, he thought. Birds chirped, and somewhere he heard people talking and laughing. A servant brought fresh fruit on a tray.

The conversation flowed easily, and he relaxed. The wine had made his head dizzy, so he only pretended to drink. There had been enough wine today. The woman looked at him and, smiling, served him fruit juice. He couldn’t fool her. She noticed everything. The juice was fresh and delightful, and he gulped it down.

“I’ll show you around,” she said, with a smile to Elham, standing up. He quickly got to his feet. She tucked her arm under his, ready to walk.

“It’s time for me to retire,” Sitam said, kissing her farewell on both cheeks. “I’ll be back in time,” he assured Elham.

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